Dave Richards: Hooper's wit always a hit at Jr.'s

When she needs material for her stand-up act, Maryellen Hooper doesn't need to do research, soak up pop culture or stay up on current events.

She just needs to keep her eyes and ears open at home, where she's raising two boys, not counting her husband.

"My youngest announced at the dinner table last week that he's going to marry his brother, but he was going to wear the man costume and the other son would wear the girl's costume," Hooper said by phone.

No need to stockpile jokes with material like that.

"It kind of just writes itself," Hooper said.

It helps that she's an accomplished professional who knows how to make the most of rich material. Her timing is impeccable, and her rubbery, expressive face accentuates the comedy. She's a physical, yet sharp comedian who operates with grace under pressure.

Nothing fazes her, whether it's a drunk in the crowd or her 9-year-old's sudden interest in the birds and the bees, which reared its head at Repitcon -- the Comic-Con of the reptile world.

"There was a wolf dog there and my son wanted to know, 'How do you get a wolf dog?'" Hooper said.

At times like that, her husband abandons ship.

"He kind of gets a glassed-over look and excuses himself from the table," Hooper said. "When that happens, luckily for me, all my years of ad-libbing on stage come in handy.

"My husband will turn to me and say, 'How did you think of that?' 'Drunk guy in Erie, 1997. That's how!'"

Hooper usually performs in theaters. She's an upper-echelon comic with a strong resume ("Tonight Show," Comedy Central, etc.) Yet, she makes room for Jr.'s Last Laugh on her schedule.

"It's one of my favorite clubs," she said. "This is one of the few clubs I still do. I love Erie, and I love the owners of the club. We always go yard saling together."

That's one reason she only visits during summer.

"No way am I going there in the winter. I don't know why people live there," Hooper said.

"My husband takes a few days off and they have daddy and sons time. Then, when I get home, I bulldoze through the front door and clean up. Sometimes it's not even worth going away."

It's worth it for us. We get to experience Hooper's laser-sharp comedy, and it's always fresh because she talks about what's going on in her life.

With kids, that's ever-changing. So, at Jr.'s this weekend, expect to hear about the failed foster dog experience and her husband's new job at Disney.

"That means I have health insurance!" Hooper cried. "I'm very excited. Now I can stop yelling at my kids, 'Don't get sick!' We can have the luxury of a cold now. It's really awesome."